PeachBlossomGoddess

I may have liked it better if the Empress was in the picture more. She was a very divisive historical figure for sure and those themes are frequently explored in quite a few Tang dynasty dramas about her reign. It is the kind of show that normally checks all my boxes and I wanted to love it but I just didn't. I am someone who likes to watch dramas that most other people consider too complicated or boring and I watched it during CNY holidays when there really was nothing else interesting to watch. I am glad it worked for you. though.

That’s an interesting thought. Which Di Renjie did you like best?
I think Zhou Yiwei did a good job I just didn’t feel the team.

I have no issue with the visual storytelling or the dialogue. It’s clear a lot of work went into it. I just can’t put my finger on why it didn’t hook me. Even Youku doesn’t understand why it flopped.

Yeah me too. I don't even feel like reviewing it.

The truth is Van Gulik was a Sinophile who knew the language but couldn't really write authoritatively about Chinese history and culture. He turned Di Renjie into a Chinese Hercule Poirot. I remember loving the first book which he simply translated but not really loving the ones he wrote himself. They had an overly Western flavor, were not that original and they were super racey/borderline hedonistic - which the drama obviously did not incorporate. Its no wonder the drama got stuck in censorship for so long - he turned Di Renjie who was a real highly respected historical figure into a womaniser. The author of the novel Strange Tales was based on is a respected Chinese historian turned novelist who really understood the history and the culture. and he is a big fan of detective stories... If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend.

Its still one of the better Jin Yong adaptations in recent years. Lets see how Tencent does with Martial Universe...

Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty was so much better.

Someone has a very good sense of humor at Douban.

I tried to watch this for Chen Kun during covid but abandoned it part way...

Yes Zichuan Xiu is on to Canxing for sure and at this point probably so is Di Lin. But the old fox probably also sowed. division between them by ordering the execution of the palace guard. And now they will be separated again it is hard to work together. Canxing is a master of divide and conquer.

Well deserved - my longstanding gripe is discussion treads which MDLers like you often spend lots of time on can’t be gifted.

No money no fight.

Tbh so far none of the women really get to do anything important.

I think the problem is Canxing is more experienced and smarter than they are. And despite their brotherhood, the three of them are not that united and have not collectively figured out he is the bad guy.

Canxing divides and conquers. I bet he intended for Di Lin to massacre Luo Minghai's family so that they hate each other and would never unite against him. Sadly I think the brothers will go down the same path as the previous generation old chieftain, Yang Minghua and Ge Yingxing . History repeats itself.

Ty for the hard work.

I worded it that way bc I was merely replying to @Teens804's comment and that is how she worded it.

Yups I just saw that too! Definitely dead from mortal stabbing, not coming back ever. The end.

Geez I hope they don't do that - there are enough fairytales going on about characters that obviously die onscreen as it is... imagine if every death was simply narrated....

"similarly unbearable"
Egads!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️😅🤣🤣🤣